Manchester United have confirmed that an agreement has been reached for the signing of Chelsea's Juan Mata for a fee believed to be in the region of £37 million ($60.8 million). The Old Trafford club is expected to offer Mata a four-and-a-half year contract.
It is indeed a matter of necessity for both parties who have not enjoyed a blissful season. The EPL Champions will be looking to re strategize and get their woeful season back on track with the signing of the Spaniard whom David Moyes expects to provide more creativity in the middle of the park.
Mata, 25, has been out of favour at Stamford Bridge since the 'second coming' of Jose Mourinho. Despite being Chelsea's player of the year for the last two seasons, Mata has been marginalized at Chelsea. His last game for the blues was the Jan. 1 victory against Southampton. The lack of playing time has also seen him slip down the pecking order for Spain with only five months before they begin their title defence in Brazil.
Meanwhile, Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger has criticized Chelsea's decision to sell the star player to rivals United. Wenger told journalists that "it opens again a little bit the opportunity of this transfer market because Chelsea had already played twice against Man United so they don't play again."
"They could have sold him last week but it opens at least the opportunity [to question] the dates of this transfer window.
"Some teams have already played twice against one opponent and some others not. I think if you want to respect the fairness for everybody exactly the same, that should not happen.
"I just think you would want that everybody is on the same level. Chelsea do not make the rules but maybe the rules should be a bit more adapted to more fairness."
Jose Mourinho confirmed the transfer earlier in a press conference and wished Mata well saying that "one day, if he comes back to Chelsea in a Manchester United shirt, then the stadium will show him how much they respect him." The Portuguese also hit back at Wenger saying it is in his nature to critize.
“But I think it's also a bit of his nature. We have to accept the way he is. But when he says that this is not fair, I think what is not fair is that his team always has the best days to play. Always. Always.
The signing could pave way for many other big-name signings for the Red Devils as David Moyes hopes to shake up his under-performing squad. This is the most expensive signing that United have sanctioned surpassing the £30.7 million ($50.5 million) it spent on Dimitar Berbatov in 2008. It is also rumoured that following this new acquisition, Wayne Rooney isset to make a u-turn and put pen to paper for a lucrative £300,000-a-week contract at Manchester United, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.
The Spanish International would not be eligible to play for his new club in the Champions League because he has already featured for Chelsea in the group stage.
United are also linked with Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal and Bayern Munich centre back, Dante who told Fox Sports Brasil that he felt flattered by the interest from Manchester United. He added that “we have to wait until Jan. 31 because there is a lot going on.”
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